Elizabeth Anne Reese
Yun Povi
My daughter graduated from high school on Saturday. After receiving her diploma, my parents and nephews honored her with a Pendleton shawl. Beneath her graduation gown she wore her black manta and moccasins. With her tassel is an eagle feather. I am very proud of her and the work she's done as a young woman, trying to effect change at Uni High with respect to the recruitment and retention of Native, Latino/a, and African American students. She encountered a great deal of resistance from fellow students and their families. Some of that resistance was mean spirited and outright racist, but she kept her dignity throughout the year. She is an amazing Native woman.
(Note: Yun Povi is her Tewa name. Tewa is the language we speak at Nambe. Yun Povi means Willow Flower.)
2 comments:
Congratulations to your daughter and to you! What a beautiful young lady.
Dear Debbie,
What a wonderful time for you! It must be very special to know that your daughter is a strong spokesperson for her culture and her rights, carrying on the powerful tradition you follow.
My deepest respect to you both!
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